Greetings LMS Families,
I hope everyone is enjoying the sunshine and nice weather this weekend. I finally turned off the heat and opened the windows to allow fresh air to flow through my home.
Let me start by saying how proud I am of our students for giving their all on the MAP Test. It’s been a busy seven days of testing and they did a fabulous job. They were so prepared and focused. I have no doubt that we did well. We always do. We will be conducting make up testing this week. I anticipate that makes ups will go just as smoothly.
We had a great time celebrating Administrative Professionals Day last week. Thank you to everyone that sent a kind note and/or treat for the office support team. We took them out to lunch and to our surprise an LMS parent picked up the tab. We could not believe it. Then again, we could because it’s an example of how how caring and thoughtful of a community we have.
We have a few more celebrations in the next few weeks, starting with Teacher Appreciation Week, which is 5/7-5/11. This is always a fun time because we get to honor and recognize the OUTSTANDING educators that impart knowledge on your kiddos each and every day. The commitment and dedication of our staff is unparalleled. Many are here as early and 6:30 a.m. and as late as 10:00 p.m. Not only are they phenomenal in the classroom, but they also provide extra curricular offerings and build strong connections with students on a daily basis. They are truly one of the reasons I LOVE my job and your students LOVE coming to school.
We will also celebrate School Nurse Day on 5/9. Our Nurse Dani has done a fantastic job providing medical care for our school. She had refined many processes that allow our Nurse’s Office to run more efficiently and she supports students with their medical needs. Our TA clerk, Ms. Shevitz, has also been instrumental in how well things are handled. Congratulations and thank you to the both of them.
As we get closer to the end of the year, we have more events occurring that will allow us to continue to celebrate students. The Citizenship Ceremony, 8th Grade Farewell Assembly, and a couple of concerts are happening in the next few weeks. So much fun awaits us! Get your cameras and tissues ready. I have mine ready to go. I try extremely hard not to get so emotional at these events, but I am such a cry baby when it comes to seeing students shine. I sit there trying hard to hold it together. I say to myself, “Whatever you do, DO NOT BLINK!” But as you know, not blinking is impossible, so I eventually let the stream of happy tears roll. What can I say? It is what it is...
NEW INFORMATION
CITIZENSHIP HONOR CEREMONIES
The annual Citizenship Honor Ceremonies will take place on Friday, May 11th, and letters of invitation will be mailed home in the next week. Students who have earned twelve or more outstanding citizenship grades, with the rest satisfactory, and who have not been suspended, will be recognized in grade-level ceremonies in the LMS gym. The eighth grade ceremony will begin at 8:10 a.m.; seventh grade at 9:30 a.m.; and sixth grade at 12:45 p.m. Students will receive certificates, hear performances by the LMS Percussion ensemble, and enjoy refreshments afterward. Parents are invited to attend.
MATH ENROLLMENT FOR SEVENTH GRADERS ENROLLED IN MATH 7E
Reminder to Families of 7th Graders Enrolled in Math 7E: You should have received a letter in the mail over a week ago which shared your student’s math data and math class placement for next year. There is no informed enrollment in 8th grade due to Algebra I being a high school course and the rigorous curriculum of Math 8. There may be some circumstances in which a student has just missed the eligibility criteria for Algebra I. If your student falls into this category and would like to request placement reconsideration, he/she must complete and turn in this form by Friday, May 4, 2018. Forms are also available in the welcome center. Further information about math placement can be found here.
LIBRARY SUMMER BOOK CHECK OUT
LMS Library is now offering summer checkout to all LMS students (even 8th graders)!
How it Works:
1. Students must return all library books currently out and pay for any lost books before checking out for the summer. (Students may renew for the summer, but must bring in the book to renew.)
2. May 11th-21st students can come by the library to select up to ten (10) books to check out and take home for the summer.
3. All summer checkouts are due on the first day of school next year.
4. The high school library will collect books checked out by 8th graders and send them back to the middle school.
PASSPORT TO EQUALITY
Eighth graders Varsha Arun and Caroline Cislo have organized a Girl Scout Silver Award Project called Passport to Equality. The project focuses on social justice and invites students to participate in numerous tasks to build their knowledge and understanding of social justice. Passports were issued through social studies classes to students who expressed interest in participating. More than 200 passports were issued, but not many have been returned. Those who return their passports will be entered into a drawing for a t-shirt. 10 shirts will be given away. Please check with your student to see if he/she has a passport and encourage the student to return it to the green box located in the Welcome Center.
STUDENT RECOGNITION
ST. LOUIS SUBURBAN SOLO/ENSEMBLE
Congrats to Leah Alrutz and her music students who participated in the St. Louis Suburban Solo/Ensemble Festival last week. A pic of the students is attached to the Parent Link. Special shout out to Bronte King-Levine who received a superior rating!
IMPORTANT REMINDERS
NEW BEFORE SCHOOL FITNESS OFFERING
Before school weight room will be starting this week and will run every Wednesday. Before school weight room will be offered to all grade levels from 7:30-8:00 a.m. Students that are interested must sign up the day before with Coach Theodosiou. The sign up sheet will be on his desk. Spots will be limited and will be a first come first serve basis.
USE OF HIGH DOWNS LANE AND THE BANK PARKING LOT
We have been asked to remind families not to drive around the Admin Center and go in or out of High Downs Lane (the lane on the east side of the MS) during morning drop off or afternoon pick up. This is very dangerous and can lead to accidents and collisions with residents and employees who work at the Admin Center. We also have students walkers and athletes utilizing that area. Along the same lines, please do not park at the bank and let your student out on Conway Road in the morning or park and have your student meet you at the bank in the afternoon.
We understand the challenges that come as a result of the morning and afternoon rush. Again, your student’s safety, along with the other 1000 students in attendance, is our number-one priority. We appreciate your assistance in reinforcing this critical message. I was told that citations will be written beginning next week for those who continue to park there. Please take this request into consideration and plan accordingly, so that we can not only ensure student safety, but also continue to maintain a cooperative relationship with one of our local community businesses. Thank you in advance for your support!
LMSPA NEWSLETTER
The LMSPA newsletter contains some very important (and entertaining) information for parents. You should be receiving it every Wednesday in your inbox. There have been a few issues with some parents not receiving the email even though they are signed up. If you ARE NOT receiving the newsletter every Wednesday, and have registered, please send an email to Audra Harrold at aeharrold@gmail.com so we can fix the problem. If you are not signed up, please go tohttp://www.mylmspa.com/eblast-newsletter/ to register.
PLEASE REVIEW OUR CELL PHONE and TECHNOLOGY DEVICE POLICY WITH YOUR STUDENT.
I would like to also ask families to please remind students about our cell phone policy: Unless otherwise directed by a teacher, who is incorporating technology into the curriculum, all cell phones and technology devices should be turned off and remain out of sight during regular school hours including lunch and passing time. Students should store these devices in their school assigned locker (LOCKED). Furthermore, students should express themselves using technology and social media in a way that aligns with our school policy on digital citizenship. This includes taking pictures and filming others without their consent at any time, especially in areas that are private such as the locker room and in restrooms. At no time should a student have his/her device out taking pictures or video in the PE Locker Rooms or the Restroom. Doing so is an invasion of privacy. This school expectation has been communicated in multiple ways and multiple times throughout the school year. Unfortunately, we are continuing to see an increase in cell phone and digital citizenship violations. Our LMS Student Handbook outlines our school and district technology usage expectations. Again, disciplinary actions may vary whether it is a first offense or a subsequent offense, the severity of the incident or other individual circumstances, but most often technology violations result in a REFOCUS assignment or out of school suspension. If you have questions, please do not hesitate to contact me or your child's grade-level administrator or counselor. Thank you for your continued support!
MATH PLACEMENT AND ACCELERATION UPDATE
Math Acceleration and Placement Information is now available on the LMS website under the curriculum tab (click here to view). A small number of LMS students may be developmentally prepared to accelerate through a grade level math course. Math acceleration is defined as being enrolled in a course that is one or more grade levels above. Math 6 Extension and Math 7 Extension are not accelerated courses and require no special testing. Students who want to enroll in math courses on the accelerated pathway must demonstrate mastery on a math skills inventory in order to qualify. Acceleration testing dates for summer 2018 are June 5 and July 31. No other dates are available for testing, so please plan accordingly. If you have questions regarding the information above or the math acceleration document, please contact Mrs. Sarah Schwartz, Assistant Principal and liaison to the math department, at saschwartz@ladueschools.net
Enjoy your week!
NURSE NOTES
Attention 7th grade parents. Immunization notifications will be mailed on January 23, 2018 to all students who still need the Meningitis and/or Tdap vaccine. All students entering the 8th grade are required to have a Meningitis and Tdap on file prior to the start of the school year.
Many students received these vaccines during their 6th grade year. Majority of the time parents get this notification simply because we don't have record of these shots on file. Please check with your physician to see if your student has had these immunizations. If so, simply have the office fax me a copy to (314)-983-5965. If your child still needs to have these vaccines, now is great time to get an appointment!
If you do not receive a notification letter, your child is up to date and good to go for 8th grade. Please don't hesitate to call/email me with any questions or concerns! Contact info is below:
Dani Bernholt RN, BSN
Ladue Middle School Nurse
Email: dbernholt@ladueschools.net
Nurse's Office: (314)-983-5965
Clinic Fax: (314)-983-5965
INFINITE CAMPUS MOBILE APP
We are excited about how the mobile app puts the power of Infinite Campus into the palm of your hands! Many things that you need as a partner with us in your student's education are available there (grades, missing assignments, etc.). Please use the mobile app to keep tabs on your student throughout the year. To assure the mobile app is fast and responsive, not all data from the portal is pushed to your phone. Some items can only be seen through the full parent portal on a Web browser. An example is a comment a teacher may make on a score your student receives. These comments must be viewed through the Web browser portal and are not visible in the mobile app.
BUILDING EXPECTATIONS REMINDERS
Please take a minute to review the building expectations and procedures that are listed below. It is my hope that by periodically sharing a few expectations in my Family Update, families will become aware and can work in partnership with us to establish an optimal learning environment and ensure the safety and well being of students while at school.
AFTERNOON DISMISSAL PROCEDURES
AFTER SCHOOL ACTIVITY PICK UP
For safety reasons, if picking up your student from an after school activity prior to the 4:15 bell, please stop by the Welcome Center so that he/she can be checked out of the building. Once you notify the office that you are here to pick up your student, the Activity Coordinator will have the student sent down ASAP. We appreciate your assistance with this as it helps us tremendously with attendance monitoring and reporting.
AFTER SCHOOL ACTIVITY CARPOOL
PLEASE NOTE: We are asking parents who pick up students from after school activities to please pull into a parking spot or pull over to the outer curb until your student comes outside at dismissal. This allows the curb nearest the school to remain open for bus arrival. We have to get five (5) late buses into our parking lot and parked. Buses are currently unable to pull into the circle drive to park because cars are stopped in the middle of the lot or parked right in front of the school. We thank you in advance for your assistance.
BEFORE SCHOOL EXPECTATIONS
For safety reasons, when students arrive to school at 7:30 in the morning, we ask that they enter the building at 7:30 and remain in the lobby until dismissed to their grade level assigned area at 7:50 (Cafe-6th, Boys' side of the gym-7th, girls' side of the gym-8th). Students should NOT go to their lockers or other areas of the building unless prearranged with a staff member. While in their assigned grade level area, students should sit and remain seated until the supervisor dismisses them to class. BREAKFAST PROCEDURES
We are fortunate to serve breakfast in the mornings for LMS students. Students wanting to purchase breakfast should report to the cafeteria immediately upon arrival to school (do not go to lockers or class first). If arriving before 8:02, regular breakfast will be provided. Students arriving after 8:02, will be served “grab and go” items. Breakfast is not considered “social time.” Students participating in the breakfast program are expected to eat as quickly as possible and head to class.
DISTRICT APPROVED SNACK LIST
Below is a link to the Board approved Healthy Snack Guidelines and Snack List for the 2017-18 school year. It is also posted on the district's website. All things that are served to students during the school day prior to 4:30 p.m. must follow these guidelines effective immediately. This includes parties/social events and recognition ceremonies. Link: Healthy Snack Guidelines and Snacks List
EARLY PICK UPS
We are having an inordinate amount of early pick ups during the last period of the day, particularly the last 10 minutes of school. If at all possible, we ask families to allow students to finish out the school day in class. If a student has an appointment that is unavoidable, please make every effort to email or call the front office (Danna Anderson-983-5513 ordanderson@ladueschools.net) ahead of time. Calling into our classrooms, multiple times a day, especially in the afternoon interrupts instructional time. If you call ahead, the front office will get a slip to your student to leave class and head to the Welcome Center at the specified time. We realize that emergencies do arise, however if you know ahead of time that you need to pick up your child, this small request makes a huge difference for the teachers and students that are in class. We greatly appreciate your cooperation and understanding that our uninterrupted learning time is very valuable.
ELECTRONICS AT SCHOOL
Please remind your student that electronics, including cell phones, headphones/earbuds, speakers, etc. should remain out of sight for the duration of the school day from 8:10-3:10. This includes lunch. If these items are seen, they will be confiscated as noted in our LMS Student Handbook. We strongly encourage families not to send personal technology devices to school unless requested by the classroom teacher for educational purposes. Note: If there is an urgent message that your child needs to have, please contact the office and we will get the message delivered as soon as possible. Thank you for your help with this matter.
Please remind your student that electronics, including cell phones, headphones/earbuds, speakers, etc. should remain out of sight for the duration of the school day from 8:10-3:10. This includes lunch. If these items are seen, they will be confiscated as noted in our LMS Student Handbook. We strongly encourage families not to send personal technology devices to school unless requested by the classroom teacher for educational purposes. Note: If there is an urgent message that your child needs to have, please contact the office and we will get the message delivered as soon as possible. Thank you for your help with this matter.
FRONT CIRCLE PARKING AND CROSSWALK
Over the summer, we made some changes to our front circle. The changes were made to provide better access to our building for individuals with disabilities and to help alleviate the congestion in the morning especially on Conway Road. This will only work if families park and walk in. For the safety of our students and families, we ask that families no longer pull over to let students out of the car in the morning or afternoon or pull into a parking spot to let them out. The only time the crosswalk should be used in the morning is if a parent needs to come into the building with their student(s). Thank you for helping keep our community safe.
MORNING DROP OFF/AFTERNOON PICK UP
For safety reasons, students should not be dropped off prior to 7:30 a.m. We do not have any adult supervision prior to 7:30 and our building is locked. Students who arrive prior to this time will have to remain outside. Parents/guardians of students consistently on campus in the mornings without supervision will be contacted by administration.
At the end of the school day (3:10), students should either ride the bus home, walk, get picked up, or participate in the TAS (Teens After School) Program. On Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, after school supervision is unavailable after 3:30 unless special arrangements have been made with a staff member to supervise in their classroom. On Tuesdays and Thursdays, after school activities are provided from 3:10-4:10. Students who stay after for activities should be picked up at 4:10, no later than 4:30. As in the morning, parents/guardians of students consistently on campus in the afternoons without supervision will be contacted by administration and may also be taken to TAS and charged a fee.
In previous years, we have been able to be a little more flexible with this. Unfortunately, we are unable to do so this year due to staffing. PLEASE MAKE NOTE OF THIS CHANGE as we would want to avoid having students sitting outside in extreme hot and cold weather conditions.
SPECIAL TREATS FROM CHARTWELLS
Our building policy does not allow consumption of food by others for safety reasons and to promote healthy living. Chartwells Food Service is offering treats for purchase to families that want to do something special for a birthday or other milestone. We appreciate Chartwells for providing alternative options to families that want to have celebrations at school during lunch shifts. Check out the flyer that is attached to this update.
TRAFFIC REMINDERS
The following is a reminder to some, and new information for others, regarding our morning and afternoon traffic patterns and drop off/pick up procedures.
Our school day for 2017-2018 will be 8:10 am to 3:10 pm.
If you plan to transport your child to school by car in the morning:
- Please be aware that students cannot enter our building until 7:30 am when someone on duty to monitor the front doors and lobby.
- Students may be dropped off at the front of the building prior to bus arrival (they typically begin appearing around 7:45 am). Please follow the designated traffic flow arrows as you enter our campus from either Conway or Clayton roads.
- There will be staff members at locations 1, 2 and 3 to help with traffic flow and supervision. Please follow their directions.
- After buses begin arriving, car traffic will be routed to the rear of the building. The person at location 2 will notify drivers.
- Please proceed down the right-hand drive all the way to the Maintenance Building (end of fencing), then circle back to the rear of the building through the parking lot, staying to the right. Students will be dropped off at the designed area (ONLY along the sidewalk) and enter the building through the east back door to the Gym.
- Cars will then exit the campus using the lower drive (two-way traffic) onto Clayton Road. Please, please, (and please) turn right onto Clayton Road. A left-hand turn onto Clayton, at this time of morning, is potentially dangerous and causes a backup for cars attempting to exit our campus.
If you plan to pick up your child from school by car in the afternoon:
- Please be aware that buses begin lining up in our front Circle Drive around 2:45 pm. Cars parked in the Circle Drive have the very good chance of getting blocked in as more buses arrive. If you have the need to pick up your child before dismissal, I would highly suggest parking in one of the marked parking spaces in the lower drive.
- Cars will be directed to the back of our building to form a “carpool line” as indicated in the second photo. NOTICE:This year the carpool line will begin lining up backwards to previous years. Please drive all the way down the right drive to the Maintenance Building. If there are students on the parking lot (fenced in area), please wait at the gated entrance until students leave. Then, pull into the lot on the LEFT side and begin a line at the recycling bins (along the fence INSIDE the parking lot). When the line reaches the gate at the back, begin a new line just to the right of the existing line. This should keep the lower drive from backing up and blocking cars wanting to leave. A staff person will be located at area A to assist with this.
- At dismissal, students who rides buses will be dismissed first, while students who are picked up by car and those that walk will be held in the lobby (until about 3:20 pm).
- Please do not instruct your child to leave the lobby with bus riders and walk through our lots to meet you at your car. This is potentially dangerous as students do not always watch for traffic. It also puts the child in an awkward position as he/she is not following school rules and can be assigned a consequence for not doing so. If you need to pick your child up before buses leave, please notify your student’s grade level administrator and meet your child at the front of the building so that he/she is accompanied while walking through our parking lot. Students are NOT to exit through the doors near the Gym or in the 6th and 8th grade halls.
- Buses are typically loaded within 10 minutes of the 3:10 pm dismissal. Once buses are released, then the staff member at location A will signal cars to approach the front of the building. Students waiting in the lobby will then be released to be picked up by car. Most students are gone by 3:30 pm.
If your student will ride a bus to and from school:
- Please make sure your student knows his/her assigned bus number.
- Bus riders will have a maximum of 10 minutes after the 3:10 pm dismissal to gather their belongings and exit the front of the building.
- Students must check the “bus board” located near the Circle Drive at the end of the sidewalk leading from the Main Lobby doors to determine the location of their assigned bus.
- Students should board the bus quickly, rather than loiter in the front of the building.
Bus passes:
A temporary bus pass may be used for a student to ride home on a different bus. Passes are available on the district website and the Welcome Center and must be completed and approved BEFORE the date of use. Drivers should be given a copy of the completed and approved bus pass as the student boards the bus.
Thanks for your patience with all of this. It is much easier to verbalize than to communicate in writing. Everyone typically gets the hang of this within the first fews days of school. Our goal is to get students delivered and picked up safely, while also trying to keep traffic flow moving.
STUDENTS/PARENTS CUTTING THROUGH PICARDY LANE
When school is in session a number of cars have been cutting through Picardy Lane (northeast corner of Conway/Warson) causing traffic to back up at this intersection. We are asking families for assistance as a courtesy to the residents in this neighborhood. Please do not use Picardy Lane as a cut through to get to the school in the mornings. We have been advised that there will be police presence in that neighborhood to deter those who use it as a means of avoiding the intersection at Warson and Conway Roads.
USE OF HIGH DOWNS LANE AND THE BANK PARKING LOT
We have been asked to remind families not to drive around the Admin Center and go in or out of High Downs Lane (the lane on the east side of the MS) during morning drop off or afternoon pick up. This is very dangerous and can lead to accidents and collisions with residents and employees who work at the Admin Center. We also have students walkers and athletes utilizing that area. Along the same lines, please do not park at the bank and let your student out on Conway Road. We understand the challenges that come as a result of the morning and afternoon rush. Again, your student’s safety, along with the other 1000 students in attendance, is our number-one priority. We appreciate your assistance in reinforcing this critical message.
LMSPA INFO (FROM THE LMSPA NEWSLETTER)
LMSPA DUES
The LMSPA relies on your support to fund teacher grants, field trips, student parties, equipment and supplies, and much more! If you haven't paid your dues yet, you can drop off a check in the front office or pay online. Just click the link below and select LMSPA from the pull-down menu.
You can subscribe to email blasts from the Ladue Middle School Parent Association at http://www.mylmspa.com/eblast-newsletter/
The LMSPA can also be followed on Facebook at www.facebook.com/LadueMiddleSchoolParentAssociation/ and on Twitter @mylmspa
BOARD BRIEFS
Information regarding Ladue Board of Education meetings and work sessions can be found at http://boardbriefs.blogspot.com
CALENDAR ITEMS- (New Events in Red)
5/1-5/3 NWEA Testing
5/2 Orchestra Concert LPAC 7:00 p.m.
5/3 Book Battle Competition Field Trip (all day)
5/5 8th Grade Party 7:30-10:00 p.m.
5/7-5/11 TEACHER APPRECIATION WEEK
5/7 Ram Award Cardinal Game
5/8-5/10 NWEA Testing
LMSPA Meeting 12:00pm
5/9 SCHOOL NURSE DAY
Class Meetings
5/11 Citizenship Ceremonies (8:15, 9:30, 12:45)
5/14 Pegasus Field Trip
5/15 Orion Field Trip
Phoenix Field Trip
5/18 8th Grade Six Flags trip
5/21-5/23 8th Boat Building and Racing
5/24 Farewell Assembly 8th Grade
Last Day 6th and 7th Grade Trips/Last Day of School
That’s all for now. Take Care!
Dr. T-J
Principal, Ladue Middle School
